Spectrum school plans addition

Plans call for a 6,600-square-foot, two-story addition to the south side of the school, which is located at 17796 Industrial Circle.

Spectrum school in Elk River plans to add on space for the music department and classrooms.

The addition will house the music department on the ground floor and three classrooms on the second floor.

The student population is capped at 525 and that won’t change with the addition.

“This essentially gives us more elbow room,” explained Rick Peterson, who oversees facilities at Spectrum. “Our music program has taken off … exponentially where we just need more room for our music program.”

The new music department space will include a music room, student practice rooms and office space for the music staff.

The second floor will have a science room and two additional classrooms. Peterson said three teachers now share classrooms and “this will just make for a better educational experience by having each teacher be able to have their own classroom.”

The Elk River City Council voted unanimously Monday, Sept. 17 to approve an amendment to the school’s conditional use permit to allow the expansion.